Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. It is my first time seeing him here in the Chamber. I am very glad that time has been set aside for statements on this very damning and devastating report. I have to say it is one of the most harrowing documents that I have read in my time as a public representative. I want to congratulate its authors on their diligent work which must have been extremely difficult and draining. I want to thank all the people who spoke to the authors of the report. Their brave decision to share their experiences will generate change and they should be very proud of that. Like others, I also want to commend the Women of Honour. We would not be having this moment of reckoning without their heroic campaigning. I have to mention Senator Tom Clonan whose PhD thesis, published 23 years ago, blew the whistle on this issue. He has faced horrifying reprisal from bad actors in the Defence Forces, yet he has never backed down. He has shown himself to be a courageous and principled individual and a powerful example of how men can stand up for the rights and dignity of women. We need men like Tom in every part of our society. We need men will stand up and say, no this is unacceptable, we need to do better. He is a credit to this House.

It is really hard to discuss a report like this. I do not want to just repeat its most upsetting findings. I encourage anyone who is in the right mental space to read it themselves. To summarise, bullying, harassment, physical and sexual assault are widespread, systematic issues that have impacted huge numbers of people serving in the Defence Forces. These issues have been going on for many years without effective intervention. A culture of fear has been created where people justifiably believe that reporting abuse will be career ending. It is absolutely horrifying that people are enduring such poor treatment and are unable to speak out about it and get justice.

As a feminist, a woman and a parent, I want to be able to tell people to stand up for themselves, to speak to truth for their own sakes and for the sake of others. However, when people report abuse are subject to reprisal and complaints are not taken seriously, how can that be done? What should parents say to children, especially daughters who express an interest in serving in the Defence Forces? Without evidence of significant cultural and structural reforms, it seems the only reasonable and prudent conclusion is that the Defence Forces are not a safe place for young people looking to serve their country and build their career. Toxic and abusive work cultures reproduce themselves if leadership fails to intervene. That is the reality here. This happens because when perpetrators are protected victims are silenced or leave. The people who stand by and let it happen become more and more accustomed to, and complicit in, the coarseness and cruelty of the workplace dynamic as time passes. If the leadership of the Defence Forces cannot create a humane and disciplined internal culture, how are they supposed to perform the important tasks their roles require? Members of the Defence Forces are so dedicated, they give so much of themselves to these institutions and they are being badly let down. I commend the Minister and I am glad the Government has recognised the gravity of the findings of this report and the commitment to adopt all recommendations made it is really positive. I hope that any fact-finding and redress process that emerge from this are inclusive, trauma-informed and shaped by the needs of the victims. I also hope lessons are learnt from the needlessly upsetting and divisive blunders made in redress processes for individuals incarcerated in mother and baby homes.

I have been disturbed by some of the other responses to the report. While RACO welcomed the report publicly, internal communications to its members, which were reported in TheIrish Timeswere far more critical. The association accused the report of tarring all of its members with the same brush. I really believe this is untrue. In fact, at several key points the report emphasises that most members of the Defence Forces are committed professionals. That is what the report is saying. RACO's internal response seems to highlight an issue raised by Deputy Berry in the Dáil, which is a hypersensitivity among the officer class to criticism that undermines efforts at reform. Such resistance needs to be overcome. The report signals the need for radical cultural and structural reforms. No one, regardless of rank, can be allowed to undermine or impede efforts to safeguard the dignity and equality that every worker is entitled to. The findings of this report are specific to the Defence Forces but there are lessons that have implications for other male-dominated, hyper-masculine fields such as construction, the trades and policing. Women and LGBT workers should be welcome wherever they decide to work. Unfortunately, they often have to contend with bullying and harassment if they pursue traditionally masculine careers. This is absolutely unacceptable. I have heard from young women pursuing apprenticeships, for example. They love the work they are doing but, unfortunately, they are subject to sexual commentary and other unpleasant gendered remarks from some co-workers. Sometimes these women are the only women on the job site and they feel unable to speak out for fear of being branded as a "buzz kill" and "difficult" to work with. I want to say to all present and former members of the Defence Forces who have been victimised and retaliated against, and whose careers were impacted by this culture of brutality, abuse of authority and secrecy that what happened to them was wrong. They sought to serve their country and they were mistreated and let down. The abuse and inaction have gone on for far too long, and this moment of reckoning is long overdue. The work of investigation, reform and redress will be very significant.There will be resistance from some corners but that must be overcome, and I know that the Tánaiste is very aware of that. Nothing less than a root-and-branch reform will achieve the structural and cultural changes necessary to create lasting change.

I thank the Tánaiste for coming here and warmly welcome him. I am really happy that he is taking this all on board.